Apparatus for packing rollable containers



Jan. 5, 1960 H. ROTHENBERGER 2,919,525

APPARATUS FOR PACKING ROLLABLE CONTAINERS.

Filed Nov. 26. 1956 5 Sheets-Sheet '1 INVENTOR: I H. ROTHENBERGER A A a/r 1960 H. ROTHENBERGER 2,919,525

APPARATUS FOR PACKING ROLLABLE CONTAINERS F ile'd Nov. 26, 1956 s Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR H. ROTHENBERGER v M BY W i 1960 H. ROTHENBERGER 2,919,525

APPARATUS FOR PACKING ROLLABLE CONTAINERS File d Nov. 26,1956 5 Sheets-Sheet s INVEN TOR H. ROTHENBERGER Asa/a 1960 H. ROTHENBERGER 2,919,525

APPARATUS FOR PACKING ROLLABLE CONTAINERS Filed NOV. 26, 1956 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 I INVENTOR: 1 v I I ROTHENBERGER Jan; 5, 1960 H. ROTHENBERGER 2,919,525

APPARATUS FOR PACKING ROLLABLE CONTAINERS Filed Nov. 26, 1956 s heet s-'-Shee t 5- Fig.

INVENTOR H.ROTHENBIERG ER APPARATUS FOR PACKING ROLLABLE CONTAINERS Claims priority, application Switzerland November 29, 1955 13 Claims. (Cl. 53 -52) The present invention relates to packing apparatus for inscribed rollable containers, particularly for arnpoules carrying inscriptions, such as an identification label, an imprint or a stamping. g

It is known to insert ampoules taken from'supply means into a prepared box insert by hand and subsequently to rotate these receptacles so that upon opening of the box they occupy a position enabling a reading of the in- 'scription'e.g.of a label, an imprint or a stamping. -Even if the receptacles are inserted into thebox by mechanical means, all packing devices hitherto known require turning the receptacles byhand into the position rendering it possible to'read the lettering when the box is open. Since this manipulation is relatively time consuming, the entire packing operation sufiers some delay, which heretofore could only be compensated by employing correspondingly morepersonnel; I I It is an object of the invention to avoid these disadvantages'by providing a packing apparatus of the kind described, having a rolling track for the containers and conveyormeans movable with respect to the rolling track for transporting the containers disposed side by side in groupsto a packing station, said apparatus being adapted to be brought into operative position and intofinoperative position, and comprising means which in the operative position ofthe conveyor means are destined to cooperate with an abutment provided on the containers and extending along a circumferential line thereof, inorder to bring the containers with their lettering into a predetermined rotative position with respect to the plane of the "rolling trackand to fix saidcontainers in this position.

The packing device may be arranged so that rotation "of the containers to the predetermined angular position is effected at the intake end of the rolling track, i.e. when the transporting apparatus is brought into operative position but still is stationary with respect to the rolling track, or during the transport'of the containers along the rolling track, or firmly'at the packing station, before the conveyor means have been rendered inoperative.

' The present invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings illustrating, by way of'example, twoembodiments of the invention, and in which:

Fig. '1 is a side elevational view of the first example of the packing apparatus;

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 at enlarged scale, shows a section on line IIl-III of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a front view of a detail of theapparatus according to Fig. 1, illustrating the conveyor means placed in operative position; H a

'Fig. 5 is an elevational view of the second example of the packing apparatus, viewed from the supply side of the packing box; i

Fig; 6; at enlarged scale, shows a detail of the driving I means for the packing apparatus according to Fig. 5;

Fig. Tis -a vertical section on the line VII-VII in ice Fig. 5, showing the upper terminal position of the conveyor means;

Fig. 8 shows a section analogous to Fig. 7, illustrating the lower terminal position of the conveyor means.

Referring more particularly to Figs. 1 to 4 of the drawings, the numeral 1 designates the operating table of the apparatus, upon which a rolling track is formed by a layer 2. The material employed for the layer 2 is selected so that the layer surface has a roughness enabling a safe rolling action for the containers 3, when the latter are freely movable. Leading to the intake side (in Fig. 1 at the left hand) of the rolling track 2 is a supply track 4, which is disposed at an angle to the horizontal and is connected to the discharge end, for instance, of a container dispenser and labeling machine in a manner not shown. In the example illustrated the containers consist of glass ampoules, which are each provided with an imprinted label 5 surrounding somewhat more than half of the ampoule circumference. Supply track 4 and rolling track 2 are each provided with a back wall 6, serving as an abutment for the ampoule bottoms. Mounted behind the back wall 6 in lateral holders are two superposed guide rails 7, which are formed as tubes and extend parallel to the rolling track 2, the upper one of said guide rails being positioned higher than the rolling track 2. A conveyor 8 is supported upon the guide rails 7 and is movable along the rolling track 2. Stop sleeves 9 are arranged on the terminal positions of the rails 7, in order to limit the travel of the conveyor.

The conveyor 8 comp-rises a sliding carriage 10 supported on the rails 7, the upper portion of said carriage carrying a pivoted frame 11. Said frame 11 is supported so that it can be swung from an upper terminal position, shown by dash and dot lines in Fig. l (at the left) and in Fig. 3, to a lower terminal position, shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 4 and corresponding to the operative position of the conveyor 8. When occupying this lower terminal posi .tion the pivoted frame 11 is situated in a horizontal plane.

The pivoted frame 11 carries several, in the example illustrated six, resiliently formed blades 12, equally spaced and positioned side by side in the longitudinal direction of the rolling track 2. The blades 12 which may be made for instance of spring steel, project from the pivoted frame 11 towards the rolling track 2 in a forward or downward direction. The arrangement is such that with the frame 11 turned in the horizontal position the lower operating edge 12a of the blade 12 is spaced from the rolling track 2, a distance which equals the distance of one of the longitudinal edges 5a of the labels 5 from the rolling track, when the inscription of the label 5 of the ampoule resting on the rolling track 2 is facing this rolling track. This distance is approximately equal to half the diameter of the ampoule portion carrying the label. A contact brush 13 is associated with each blade 12, with the exception of that blade constituting the last one in the direction of travel a (Figs. 1,2 and 4) of the ampoules 3 carried by the conveyor 8. The brushes 13 are arranged at the rear side of the blades 12, when viewed in the direction of travel a, and are secured to the pivoted frame 11 together with the associated blade. The operating edge of the brushes 13 is set back somewhat with respect to the operating edge 12a of the blades 12. The distance by which the individual blades 12 are spaced from each other corresponds approximately to the diameter of the ampoules 3 to be packed. Abutrnents 14 are provided at the end portion of the rolling track 2 situated at the intake side of the conveyer system. The abutments 14 are pressed into operative position by a leaf spring 15 (Figs. 1 and 2) secured to the underside of the table; said abutments protrude through the rolling track 2 in an upward direction at a point situated exactly below the brush 13 'on the end of conveyor 8 towards the discharge end of track 2 when the conveyor 8' is in the intake end position against the abutment sleeve 9. Mounted atthe free end of the leaf spring is a latch 16, which at the rear side of the operating table 1 projects beyond the rear wall 6 through an interruption of said rear Wall. The arrangement is such thatwith the conveyor 8 sgainst sleeve 9 on the intake end of track 2 the pivoted frame 11 depresses the latch 16 in such a manner that the abutments 14 will be retracted below the surface of the rolling track. A grating 17 formed by two corrugated strips is provided at the packing station on the rolling track 2. When this grating is in operative position, it protrudes through the-operating table 1 and above the rolling track 2 and is retained in this position by a leaf spring 18 supporting the grating. The leaf spring 18 anchored on the underside of the operating table 1 carries a latch 19, which at the rear side of the operating table 1 projects upwardly through an interruption in the rear wall 6. The latch 19 is located immediately in front of the packing station on the rolling track 2. .The latch 19, similar to the latch 16, cooperates with an abutment strip 20 provided on the pivoted frame 11 of the transport apparatus. In other words, when the conveyor 8 in its operating position passes the latch 19, the strip 20 presses the latch 19 downwardly in such a manner that the grating 17 is retracted below the plane of parallel to the plane of the rolling track. An abutment arm 23 on the carriage 22 projects across the operating table 1 in parallel relationship to the rolling track 2.

The vertical distance of the abutment arm'23 from the operating table 1 or the rolling track 2, respectively corresponds to the height of the boxes 24 serving for packaging the ampoules. The abutment arm 23 and the carriage 22, respectively, can be moved from a starting position (Fig. 2) at the packing station against the action of a spring 25 in the direction of the arrow b (Figs. 2, 3) across the rolling track 2 to an abutment 26 (Fig. 2)

acting as a supportfor the rail 21.

The box 24, serving in the present case for packing the ampoule 3, comprises a box body which is formed by folding a cardboard several times and which is provided with a prismatic insert 27 servingas a support for the ampoules. The insert 27 is'secured to the bottom 24a of the box and the longitudinal sides of the insert are provided with an opening 27a. The cardboard strip forming the body of the box'is cut and folded so that it forms the insert member 24b, the bottom 2411, the rear wall 240, the cover 24a, the front wall 242 and the side walls 24f of the box body. A box of this type of construction is more fully described in my copending application Serial No. 618,472.

The operation of the described packing apparatus is as .follows: It is assumed that the ampoules 3, which are filled and provided with the label 5, will be continuously fed to the supply track 4. The conveyor 8 is locatedlat its starting position (at the left in Figs. 1 and 2) and the pivoted frame 11 is tilted to the upward position. T he ampoules 3 coming from the supply track 4 roll along the rolling track 2 until they meet the abutments 14 projecting into the track. At this point the ampoules are situated in close proximity side by 'side with the labels '5 irregularly facing upwards, downwards or sidewise. At

this station the ampoules are checked in the usual manner blades 12' now interengage the ampoules 3 so that each ampoule will be placed insa partition formed by two adjacent blades. Simultaneously the strip 20 presses the latch 16 downwardly so that the abutments 14 are retracted from the path of the ampoules 3. The conveyor 8 in its operative position described is now moved along the rails 7 in the direction of arrow a together with the ampoules 3 engaged between the blades 12. During this operation the strip 20 releases the latch 16 again, so that the abutments 14, after the passage of the conveyor 8, are again pressed upwards by the leaf springs 15 and the following ampoules 3 rolling down from the supply track 4 are stopped by the abutments 14.

The ampoules 3 in the conveyor roll upon the rolling track 2 while being transported. Each ampoule is then subjected to some braking action by a brush 13 associated with the respective partition, and simultaneously pressed against the blade 12 of the next following partition. After a certain rotation of the ampoule in the direction of the arrow c, the longitudinal edge 5a (Fig. 3) of the label 5 ofeach ampoule 3 strikes against the free operating edge of ablade 12 dragging over the ampoule 3. The ampoule 3 is thereby automatically prevented from continuing to rotate, and it thus remains in the position of angular movementdistinctly shown in Fig. 4 during the entire remaining path of transportation. The length of the rolling track 2 is proportioned so that the ampoules 3 are able to make .at least one full rotation during transportation of same,

transported, the labels 5 are facing the rolling track 2,.

When the conveyor 8 approaches the packing station, the

strip 20 depresses thelatch 19, so that the strips of the grating 17 will be retracted below the rolling track 2.

Accordingly, the ampoules 3 which no longer rotate are .now able to slide freely into the packing station. Having arrived at the packing station, the strip.20 on the pivoted .frame 11 releases the latch 19 and the grating 17 is pressed upwardly bythe spring 18. This causes the ampoules 3 to be lifted by the grating 17. The corrugations of the grating 17 are proportioned so that the ampoules 3 or the necks thereof, each sliding in two recesses ofthe grating 17 situated in register with each other, are exactly on the same level above the rolling track 2 and have the same mutual spacing as the openings 27a of the insert 27 of a box 24, placed upon the operating table 1 with the bottom 24a situated at the top (Figs. 2 and 3). .Now the pivoted frame 11 is tilted upwardly and thus the conveyor 8 rendered inoperative. The box 24, in which the box body or the cardboard strip forming the latter is on top and unfolded, is placed transversely to the rolling track 2 upon the operating table in such a manner that .the insert member 2411 lies upon the abutment arm 23 of the carriage 22 located in its starting position (Fig. 2); an end rail 23a acts in this case as a lateral abutment for the box. Now the box 24 together with the arm 23 and the carriage 22 is moved by the operator along the abutment rail 22a against the action of the spring 25 towards thepacking station (Fig. 3) until the carriage 22 strikes against its end abutment 26. During this operation the necks of the ampoules pass through the openings 27a provided in the walls of the box insert 27. The ampoules are fixed in the box insert and the box 24 may be removed tion.

As is easily understood, the ampoules 3 fixed in the insert 27 are situated in the box 24 each with its label remote from the bottom 24a; accordingly the lettering of the label 5 is perfectly legible when the box cover-24d is tilted upwards.

The turning action of the pivoted frame 11 and/ or the movement 'of the conveyor 8 could also be effected by a separate drivee,g. by electrical meansinstead of by hand;

the same holdstrue for the supplyand removal .of the boxes and/ or the movement of the carriage 22.

In the packing device illustratedthe rotative movement and the fixing "of the ampoules is efiected at a certain rotary position during the transport of the ampoules from the readiness section of therolling track 2 to the packing station, the rotary drive of the ampoules being efiected by the movement of the conveyor along the rolling track. However, it is also possible to bring about rotation and fixing of the ampoules in the desired rotary position in the readiness section at the beginning of the rolling track. .In this case the ampoules may also be rotated for instance by rolls, which are arranged in the rolling track and connected with driving means. In a similar manner the rotation and the holding of the containers in a desired stationary position of rotation could be carried out only at the packing station of the rolling track after the ampoules have been transported to this point. For this purpose driving rolls liftable above the rolling track may be provided for instance between the strips of the 'grating 17 Lifting or lowering of these rolls could take place simultaneously with the raising and lowering of the grating. On the other hand, the grating itself could also be formed by such liftable and lowerable rolls. In place of a pivoted frame 11, the conveyor 8 could also possess a vertically movable lifting frame carrying the blades 12.

Referring now to Figs. 5 to 8, the numeral 30 designates the stand of the device, upon which an electric motor, not shown, may be mounted. Two take-off shafts 31 and 32 can bedriven by the intermediary of suitable gearing from the shaft of this motor. The shaft 31 carries a roll 33. A second roll 34 is freely mounted for rotation in the stand 30 and disposed parallel to and spaced a horizontal distance from the roll 33. Looped around the rolls 33, 34 is an endless belt 35, the upper run of which represents a portion of the rolling track for the receptacles 36. In the present case these receptacles are glass ampoules, which as usual carry an imprinted label 37 (Fig. 8) surrounding somewhat more than half the circumference of the ampoule. Leading to the intake side of the rolling track formed by the upper belt portion is an intake ramp 58 sloping towards the horizontal, which ramp is connected with the exit end of an ampoule dispenser and labeling machine in a manner not shown.

Mounted in proximity to the belt 35 upon the stand 30 are two columns 38 extending parallel to each other,

on which columns the subsequently described transporting apparatus is movably guided in a vertical direction relative to the plane of the upper run of the belt. This apparatus comprises a bracket 39, which is slidably carried by means of two pipe members 39a on said two columns 38. At the side of the column remote from the belt 35, a roller or cam follower 40a is supported on the pipe member 3% by means of a pin 40. The roller 40a bears against the circumference of a control cam 41, which is rigidly mounted on the second shaft 32.

Above the pipe members 39a, a yoke 42 is supported on the columns38 and is movable in the axial direction thereon. Two lateral arms 43a of a frame 43 are pivotally mounted in the side walls of the yoke 42. The

pivoted frame 43 carries a plurality of, in the illustrated example six, resilient blades 44 equidistantly spaced from each other and positioned side by side. The blades 44, consisting e.g. of spring steel or any suitable synthetic material, project downwardly from the pivoted frame 43. The arrangement is such that, with the frame 43 situated in a horizontal position and with the conveyer situated in the lower terminal position, the lower operating edges 44a of the blades 44 are spaced from the surface of the upper belt portion a distance which equals the distance of one of the longitudinal edges 37a of the labels 37, acting as an abutment for the blades, from the said belt portion, when the lettering of the lebel 37 of the ampoules 36 lying on the belt 35 is facing the rolling "track formed by this belt portion. This distance is Lapproximately half the diameter 'of that portion of the hgnpoules 36 carrying the label 37, while the distance between successive blades 44 is approximately equal to the diameter of this ampoule portion. A contacting brush 45 is associated with each blade 44, except with the last blade in the direction of feed motion a (Fig. 5) of the ampoules 36. The brushes 45 are arranged on the front side of the blades 44, when viewed in the direc tion a, and are secured to the pivoted frame 43 together with the associated blades. The operating edge of the brushes 45 is set back somewhat with respect to the operative edge 44a of the blades 44. One arm 43a of the pivoted frame 43 is provided with a nose 46, which is destined to cooperate with two abutments 47, 48 located on the stand 30. The top abutment 47 is resiliently formed and coacts with the cut-out contact 49 of a switch arranged in the circuit of said electromotor. The switchon contact 50 of this switch (Fig. 7) can be actuated by means of a slide 51. When a box 52 is supplied, in order to pack the ampoules 36 moved into packing position by the transporting apparatus, the front flap 52a of this box, which is movable on a supply table 53 which extends adjacent the grate 54 on one side of the traversing path of a grate 54, will rest upon the slide 51. This grate is mounted upon the supporting bracket 39 of the conveyer between the rolls 33, 34 and is of U-shaped cross section and has two upstanding vertical legs arranged parallel to the longitudinal direction of the belt 35 and laterally thereof. The top rim of the grate legs is provided with triangular recesses 54a (Fig. 5) aligned with each other, which receive the ampoules 36. In the lower end position of the conveyor shown in Figs. 5 and 8 the top edges of the grate legs are situated immediately below the surface of the upper run of the belt. The upper run of the belt is suitably positioned between the two rolls 33, 34 upon a tablesupported on the stand, said table not being shown in the drawing. The front end of the grate legs as viewed in the direction of the arrow a, are provided with abutments 54b, which project upwardly beyond the belt 35 and prevent the ampoules 36 from continuing to roll along the belt 35 when the conveyer is lowered and the pivoted frame tilted upwards. Moreover, an abutment 55 projecting beyond the grate 54 and provided for the bottoms of the ampoules is secured to the bracket 39 at the side of the grate 54 facing the columns 38.

In Fig. 7 the packing device is shown in the inoperative position, i.e. all movable parts of the device are shown in the position which they will occupy, if after termination of a cycle of operation the drive of the apparatus is shut-down by actuation of the cut-out contact 49. Starting from the position of rest of the parts of the apparatus, the sequence of steps of such an operation is as follows: As shown in Fig. 7, the grate 54 carried by the bracket 39 together with the ampoules 36 to be packed is situated in its upper end position, while the pivoted frame 43 is tilted upwards and retained in this position by means of a catch ball 56a, engaging a corresponding recess 56b on the yoke 42. The grate 54 projecting upwardly beyond the belt 35 prevents the ampoules situated on the ramp 58 from continuing their rolling action. The roller 40a bears against the highest point of the stationary control cam 41, as is evident from Fig. 6. By advancing the slide 51 by means of the box 52 to the position indicated in Fig. 7 by dash and dot lines, the switch-on contact 50 is actuated and accordingly the driving motor is put in operation. As may be easily understood, in advancing the box (which in a manner not shown is provided with a holding portion for the reception of the ampoules) during the previous step the ampoules have been inserted into the box, so that this box together with the ampoules contained therein can be removed immediately after arrival at the front end position. The now rotating shaft 32 rotates the control cam 41 in the direction of the arrow b (Figs. 5 and 6). While the cam 41 rotates through the angle a (Fig. 6), the roller 40a and accordingly also the bracket 39 and,

7 the yoke 42 together with the pivoted frame 43 are lowered rather rapidly due to the radial diminution of the control cam 41, which is very pronounced in this section. The pivoted frame 43 is hereby retained in its raised position by the ball and recess locking means 56a, 56b. The control curve of the cam 41 is selected so that, while the camrotates through theangle a, the grating 54 with its top edge is lowered approximately to a level corresponding to the level of the upper run of the belt 35 driven bythe'shaft 31, with the result that ampoules 36 can again roll from the ramp 58 onto the upper run of the belt until they strike against the abutment 54a; the movement of the belt assists this process, so that the ampoules will be placed in close relationship on the belt 35. During the continued rotation of the control cam 41 through the angle 18 (Fig. 6) the grating 54 is lowered by onlya small amount to its lower end position due to the relatively small radial diminution of the control cam 41 in this section. Thenose 46 of the arms 43a of thepivoted frame strikes against the abutment 48, resulting in disengagement of the ball 56a from the recess 56b and thus a downward tilting motion of the pivoted frame 43 to its horizontal position. The blades 44 then penetrate between the ampoules, so that each ampoule will be placed in a compartment formed by two adjacent blades 44. Through the angular movement zone 7 (Fig. 6) of the control cam 41, the radius of the control curve remains constant, i.e. the grate 54 and also the pivoted frame 43 remain in the position according to Figs. and 8, occupied at the end of the angular movement zone ,9. The length of this cylindrical .carn portion is selected, so that while the cam 41 rotates through the angle 'ythe belt .35 is moved adistance approximately corresponding to triple or quadruple the circumference of an ampoule 36. Thus during the stationary interval of the grate 54 in the lower end posi- ;-tion of travel, the belt 35 is able to drive the ampoules enclosed between the blades 44 at least once around their own axis. After a certain rotation of each ampoule 36, that longitudinal edge 37a of the label 37, strikes against the operating edge, dragging across the ampoule body, of the blade 44. Then the brush 45 associated with the respective compartment of the pivotedfrarne presses the ampoule against the operative free edge of the blade slightly, so that the latter safely engages at the edge of the label. During the remainder of the angular ;-zone-'y of the cam 41, the rotating ampoule is positively prevented from continuing to rotate, in spite of the continued travel of the belt 35. After some time, all ampoules retained in the pivoted frame 43 between the blades 44 will occupy the same position with respect to the lettering of their labels. In this position of the ampoules 36, the labels are facing the upper run of the belt 35. While the control cam 41 continues to rotate through the angular zone 0c (Fig. 6), the cam follower 40a rolls along a cam section ascending in a relatively steepmanner whereby the bracket 39 and accordingly also the grate 54 together with the horizontally positioned frame 43 is raised. At the end of the angular zone a of the cam 41, the frame 43 occupies the position indicated in Fig. 7 by dash and dot lines. The nose 46 of the pivoted frame arms 43a then meets the upper abutment 47. Any continuation of the angular movement of the control cam 41 through the angular zone which corresponds to a gradually ascending section of the control cam, consequently results in at raising the bracket 3 and the yoke 42 to its top end posiiton, and the pivoted "frame 43 will tilt upwardly into the inclined position, shown in Fig.7 by full lines. At the same time the abutment 47 actuates the cut-out contact 49, so that the driving motor is shutoff and allmovable parts of the packing device remain in theirinoperative position shown in Fig. 7. As will be seen from Fig. 7, the ampoules :36 are now freelyres-ting upon ,the, grate 54, the top marginal'recesses of which insure that the ampoules will 8 maintain their position. on the grate with a spacing determined by the thickness of the blade 44. Having been released from the pivoted frame 43 the ampoules thus can also no longer change their rotary position. .In-this rotary position the labels 37 of the ampoulesare facing in a downward direction. If now, as already mentioned, .a new box 52 having its bottom turned upwards is advanced over'the ampoules located on the grate until the necksof these ampoules are engaged in the box insert not shown, then evidently the labels of all ampoules in the box 52 are facing the open top side of the box, which side bears against the surface of the table 53, as indicated inFig. 7. The slide 51, concurrently moved upon advancing the box, in the meantime has actuated the switchon contact 50 and thereby released the apparatus for a new cycle of operation.

In the previously described example, it has been assumed that the belt 35 will be driven only during rotation of the cam 41, i.e. that it is rendered operative or inoperative simultaneously with the switching on and off of an operating cycle. However, it would be possible to drive the belt continuously, i.e. While the grate and the pivoted frame are maintained in their position of rest (top end position according to Fig. 7). In this case, the electric motor itself would not be controlled by the switch-on and switch-off contacts 48, 50, but a coupling connecting the shaft 32 with the motor shaft would be brought into and out of engaging position each time. Moreover, it has been assumed that the yoke 42 together with the pivoted frame. 43 are raised simultaneously with the grate 54. However, the arrangement may also be such that first the grate 54 alone is raised until it is able to lift the ampoules from the belt, whereupon only the grate and the pivoted frame will be raised together, and when in this case the transporting apparatus is lowered, grate and pivoted frame .will follow a downward motion in common relationship only until the grate reaches the upper side of the belt 35, whereupon the grate alone will be lowered still further a short distance. It is thus possible to completely prevent the ampoules from turning after the removal of the pivoted frame (release of the labels by the blades), although it may naturally often be desired to continue to rotate the ampoules uniformly a small amount after having them stopped by means of the blades, so that the labels then will occupy a position, which is identical for all ampoules but differs from the position determined by the blades.

Instead of effecting a pivoting movement the frame arranged on the yoke 42 could also effect a vertical rectilinear raising and lowering movement for engaging and releasing the ampoules. Likewise a combined vertical and turning movement could be imparted to this frame. It also would be possible to provide separate control cams for the grate and for the yoke and pivoted frame.

It is understood that in addition to ampoules other rollable containers, e.g. bottles, cans etc. can also be packed by a packing apparatus of the described kind. When a label is provided for placing an inscription on the container this label always has a longitudinal edge forming a small shoulder with respect to the circumferential surface of the container, which edge suffices to enable cooperation with the blades of the conveyer. It is evident that the packing apparatus can also be used when the longitudinal edges of the labels placed on the containers are lettered by a direct imprint or by embossing letters during the casting process. Then the ridge produced by the two-piece mould form during the pro duction process can be used as an abutment for cooperating with the edge of the blades in the conveyer.

Any box is suitable for packing the containers which tion and according to the described manner which has a front wall which can be opened and which is provided with container holding compartments. In place of a complete box, only a box insert could also be provided for receiving the containers at thepacking station in the described manner.

I claim:

1. Packing apparatus for rollable containers provided with an inscription, comprising a packing station, a track means on their circumferential surface, and means on said separator member coacting with said abutment means to stop rolling movement of each of said series of containers in a predetermined position of angular movement. v

2. Packing apparatus for rollable containers provided with an inscription, comprising a packing station, a track I member for the containers leading to said packing station, a separator member movable relative to said track member for receiving a series of containers placed one 7 adjacent the other, means for moving said separator members into and out of the path of movement of said containers fed along the track member, said containers being provided with an abutment line on their rolling surface extending transversely to said track member, and a plurality of spaced blades in said separator members extending transversely to said track member each having a free edge adapted to coact with said abutment line on the containers to stop rolling movement of each of said containers in the separator members at a predetermined position of angular movement and to maintain the containers in said position.

3. Packing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said separator comprises a pivotally mounted frame carrying said blades, driving means being provided for tilting said frame to bring the blades into and out of the path of movement of said containers on the track member.

4. Packing apparatus according to claim 3, in which the frame of the separator member is pivoted to a slide, movable between two end positions with respect to the track member, for pivotal motion in and out of operative position.

5. Packing apparatus according to claim 2 and comprising a grate adapted to be raised and lowered with respect to the track member for holding said series of containers in a predetermined level above the member track and in a desired mutually spaced relationship.

6. Packing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein subsequent to the readiness section of the track member abutments are provided, which are movable in and out of the transporting path of the receptacles on the track member and are brought out of operative position by the separator member.

7. Packing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein a box supply device is provided comprising an arm transversely movable to the track member, which arm is destined as an abutment for a portion of the box to be supplied to the packing station.

8. Packing apparatus according to claim 2, in which the separator member is movable at right angles to the plane of the track member.

9., Packing apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the feeding means is a supply ramp extending to the upper run of said endless belt passed around two horizontal rolls extending parallel to each other, and a grate for transporting the receptacles from the said upper run of the belt to the packing station situated at a,higher level, is of U-shape, and arranged on a bracket which is movable in vertical direction and projects between the said rolls, the legs of the grate arranged at both sides of the upper run of the belt in the lower lift position of the grate being situated with the upper edge of the leg at a lower level than the top surface of the upper run of the belt.

10. Packing apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the endless belt and the bracket carrying the grate are connected to a common drive, the lifting and lowering action of the supporting arm and the turning motion of the pivoted frame being controlled by a control cam actuated by said drive.

11. Packing apparatus according to claim 10, wherein a switch having a switch-on and switch-off contact is provided for engaging and disengaging the drive of the control cam, and in which arrangement the switch-on contact is actuable by the intermediary of a slide movable by the packing box to be pushed towards the packing station, while the switch-off contact is actuated by a nose provided on the pivoted frame, when the frame is turned in upward direction.

12. Packing apparatus for rollable containers provided with an inscription, comprising a separator member having means for receiving a series of containers placed adjacent one another, a track member for supporting said containers, said track member being positioned beneath said separator member for supporting said containers for separation by said separator member, feeding means for feeding containers onto said track member beneath said separator member, means for raising and lowering said separator member relative to said track member, means for moving said members relative to each other and transversely to each other, said containers being provided with abutment means on their circumferential surface, and means on said separator member coacting with said abutment means to stop rolling movement of each of said series of containers in a predetermined position of angular movement.

13. A packing apparatus for rollable containers comprising a vertically reciprocable separator member having a plurality of spaced blades thereon for receiving between them a series of containers placed one adjacent the other, an endless belt positioned below said separator member with the upper run thereof supporting said series of containers below said separator member, feeding means for feeding containers onto said upper run of said endless belt beneath said separator member, means for raising and lowering said separator member relative to said endless belt,means for moving said endless belt transversely relative to said separator member, said containers being provided with abutment means on their circumferential surface, and means on said separator member coacting with said abutments means to stop rolling movement of each of said series of containers in a predetermined position of angular movement.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,324,930 Joa July 20, 1943 2,490,206 Calley Dec. 6, 1949 2,639,830 Weimont May 26, 1953 2,734,619 Labombarde Feb. 14, 1956 

